I need a new rangefinder.

Sirius Glass · Dec 18, 2022

The OP is in a target rich environment searching for a replacement rangefinder. But being in a target rich environment is not always good, for example George Custer in Little Big Horn with the Seventh Cavalry.

Kodachromeguy · Dec 18, 2022

Tylaar said:
Canon P just keeps going…….and the Canon LTM 50 1.4 and 35mm lenses are great…..

Yes, the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens is a still a superb performer:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2019/07/1960s-excellence-canon-50mm-f14-leica.html

markjwyatt · Dec 18, 2022

How about a Kiev? Some Kievs were made as recently as the late 70s, even early 80s.

cerber0s · Dec 19, 2022

Well it’s not a rangefinder, but I just bought a Voigtländer Vito CL for 26€ including shipping. We’ll see if it works when it gets here.

This thread opened my eyes to the Canon rangefinders, I can definitely see a Canon P or Canon 7 in the future.

Thank you all!

henryvk · Dec 20, 2022

Ooh, it's rangefinder recommendations again?

If you want compact, the Yashica Electro 35 is probably not it, as it's rather large and heavy. It's has a good lens and great viewfinder but falls short when it comes to handling imo because the focusing ring is so damn close to the body. It has decently long focus throw too, which made matters even worse; I felt like I was constantly working that awkward barrel ring this way and that way, with my left hand coming up against my right hand gripping the camera, even though the body is relatively long. And if that wasn't enough, chances are focus will be stiff if the helical hasn't been relubed and taking off the lens to access the helical is somewhat involved and requires de-soldering tiny wires etc. ... I don't know, I just couldn't get into it. Shutter button travel is also very long but that didn't bother me nearly as much as the focus thing. Overall I found handling quite a bit more awkward than, say, my FED 5 rangefinder and that's not exactly an ergonomic camera.

They did make a smaller version, the Electro 35 GX. I've only had the big one so maybe look into that. The viewfinder is very good, one of the best I've seen.

grain elevator · Dec 20, 2022

I like the Canon 7, but if you plan on using only a 50mm and don't wear glasses, the Canon P with its 1:1 viewfinder might be better. Or many fixed lens rangefinders, just keep in mind that the many of the later made ones are built for a limited number of rolls, with some use of plastic. Something from the Konica IIIa generation is generally a bit more solidly made. Don't expect the meter on a Canon 7 to be very precise even if it works, they have a very wide field of view. All these old cameras may be in need of a cla when you get them, it's always a gamble unless you buy one that's already been serviced.

Ray Morgenweck · Dec 20, 2022

Well....the OP needs to become a camera collector and “get one of each”, as all of the cameras mentioned are very similar in performance.

cerber0s · Dec 20, 2022

Ray Morgenweck said:
Well....the OP needs to become a camera collector and “get one of each”, as all of the cameras mentioned are very similar in performance.

Now we’re talking!

Kodachromeguy · Dec 20, 2022

henryvk said:
They did make a smaller version, the Electro 35 GX. I've only had the big one so maybe look into that. The viewfinder is very good, one of the best I've seen.

The GX had a 40mm lens.
Nice camera! The Yashica Electro 35CC shared the little body but with a great 35mm f/1.8 lens, 6-element:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2020/03/small-towns-in-texas-panhandle-with.html?m=1

MattKing · Dec 20, 2022

This thread makes me think of Huey Lewis ...

Jim Jones · Dec 20, 2022

I bought a new Canon P about 60 years ago. Over a few decades of fairly heavy use it developed minor problems, and eventually was retired with more serious problems. Five years later I bought a slightly used Canon 7, more for its 50 mm f/1.4 lens than for the body. The shutter eventually failed. The lens was used until Kodak produced its T-Max P3200. Then a Summicron on a Leica became a far better choice for low light photography. In comparison, a Leica M4 bought new in 1970 and used until I went digital in 2011 has never failed and never needed servicing.
The Leica seems more intuitive in handling. Its predecessor, an M2, also gave perfect service until a tripod leg gave way while setting on top of a vehicle, driving the camera into the ground. Japanese photo gear may sometimes seem more innovative, but Leitz engineering and production of cameras (and cars) feels better to me after decades of experience.

cerber0s · Dec 20, 2022

Jim Jones said:
I bought a new Canon P about 60 years ago. Over a few decades of fairly heavy use it developed minor problems, and eventually was retired with more serious problems. Five years later I bought a slightly used Canon 7, more for its 50 mm f/1.4 lens than for the body. The shutter eventually failed. The lens was used until Kodak produced its T-Max P3200. Then a Summicron on a Leica became a far better choice for low light photography. In comparison, a Leica M4 bought new in 1970 and used until I went digital in 2011 has never failed and never needed servicing.
The Leica seems more intuitive in handling. Its predecessor, an M2, also gave perfect service until a tripod leg gave way while setting on top of a vehicle, driving the camera into the ground. Japanese photo gear may sometimes seem more innovative, but Leitz engineering and production of cameras (and cars) feels better to me after decades of experience.

There is a minor difference in price though

koraks · Dec 22, 2022

cerber0s said:
Any other suggestions, thoughts, or comments?

Not mentioned yet, I think, but one more option (out of oh so many...) is the Ricoh 500G. At some point I had two but donated one after doing a minor repair on it. I still keep the other one around; don't use it much, but it's a decent little camera. It's as far as I can tell almost a clone of the Konica C35 you've had to retire; the same pocketable & lightweight format, somewhat wide (and fixed) lens, coupled rangefinder, aperture priority meter. Works OK with an alkaline battery if you're willing to accept that the meter is 1 stop off. Just dial in the ISO to one stop above your intended EI and you're good.
I'm not sure if the Ricoh's lens is quite up to the quality of the Hexanon, but I've always found it decent enough. Oh, last time I looked they were fairly common on the market and went for very reasonable prices. That may have changed a bit, but it's probably still one of the more affordable options out there.

jgoody · Dec 22, 2022

7 is a little large but a great camera -- no shoe for aux finder, but VF adjusts to 35mm lens (or up to 135mm). P is also very nice, and has shoe -- finder not quite as nice, but a little smaller overall.

Huss · Dec 23, 2022

Someone give this man a $10 Leica

cerber0s · Dec 24, 2022

Huss said:
Someone give this man a $10 Leica

Or just point me in the direction of one

thecameratherapy · Dec 25, 2022

If you think in a half frame, I really recommend the Olympus Pen EES-2

tom43 · Dec 26, 2022

cerber0s said:
Or just point me in the direction of one

Then let me recommend a FED3b. The closest you can get to a Leica with $10…

Huss · Dec 26, 2022

cerber0s said:
Or just point me in the direction of one

Go to the classifieds and start a WTB thread. Leica for $10.
I have a feeling you will get one before Eli.

KerrKid · Dec 27, 2022

I’d just get another C35 Automatic. The black ones are really nice-looking.

I have a Ricoh 500G and a Ricoh 35ZF that would also fit the bill.

If you don’t mind a zone-focus camera, I recommend the Olympus XA2.

cerber0s · Dec 27, 2022

Huss said:
Go to the classifieds and start a WTB thread. Leica for $10.
I have a feeling you will get one before Eli.

And a lot of comments on how I must have forgotten a couple of zeros

film_man · Dec 27, 2022

Huss said:
Go to the classifieds and start a WTB thread. Leica for $10.
I have a feeling you will get one before Eli.

Did Eli get his $10 Leica though? Maybe Santa brought him one.

cerber0s · Dec 30, 2022

I eventually replaced it with another C35, a black one that came with a pretty nice Agfatronic flash. Getting these off the Internet is s crapshoot. The new one works, except for the film counter that is stuck on “S”. Most likely due to the dent next to it. A slightly bigger issue is that it doesn’t trigger the flash (the flash works).

If I ever find the time I might dissect the broken one to see if I can piece together one that it’s fully functional.

cerber0s · Dec 30, 2022

I couldn’t help myself, I had to tinker. I took the counter assembly from the broken one and transplanted it. The operation was successful, but the flash still doesn’t trigger. Everything looks good so the problem might lie deeper.

eli griggs · Jan 8, 2023

Patrick Robert James said:
Why don't you just upgrade your Konica? The Konica S3 is a nice improvement and you probably won't have to change anything about how you shoot. Other options are the Canon QL GIII and the Minolta HiMatic 7sII. Both have great lenses. Olympus also made some small rangefinders but I forget the names right now. Some of these cameras have full manual mode but I forget which ones.

The Canon 7 is a fantastic camera, I have two. If you are used to any of the auto features on your Konica then I don't think you'll want to go the Canon route. Odds are the meter won't work and of course the camera is fully manual which will slow you way down. If that is the route you want to go, then the Canon is a great choice. Everyone ballyhoos the Leicas but I use my Canon 7s more than I use my Leica M3.

I think you'd be best off just getting a better version of what you already have.

The Minolta Himatic 9 is a very good, more advancement version of the Seven and likely to be less pricey.

The Cabinet ql17 is great to but a LTM give you wider options than fixed lens cameras, so that's the first choice you need to make.

I need a new rangefinder.

Sirius Glass

Kodachromeguy

markjwyatt

cerber0s

henryvk

grain elevator

Ray Morgenweck

cerber0s

Kodachromeguy

MattKing

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Jim Jones

cerber0s

koraks

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jgoody

Huss

cerber0s

thecameratherapy

tom43

Huss

KerrKid

cerber0s

film_man

cerber0s

cerber0s

eli griggs

I need a new rangefinder.

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